The real cost of a caffeine hit in the west

Perth's caffeine addicts have long bemoaned the high cost of take-away coffee, complaining the city's prices are unduly inflated and compare Perth unfavourably to Melbourne and Sydney, but it seems the prices is just another side effect of the booming economy the state enjoys.

The coffee beans, milk, sugar and the machines themselves are no more expensive, making the cost price less than $1, but retail rents and staff wages are higher, says freelance food writer Fleur Bainger.

"You have to pay a lot of rent in Perth and it is significantly more expensive than pretty much anywhere in Australia."

"Staff cost a lot and they earn more in Perth than they do in most other capital cities."

Some cafes however, have started trying to cash in on the dissatisfaction, drawing customers in with promises of 'Melbourne prices', selling coffee at between $2.50-$3.50 a cup, compared to the usual price at around $4.

Fleur Bainger thinks the discounting is good thing.

"Perth does get a bit overwhelming with how much everything costs here and if you're not part of the mining industry it can be a bit challenging."

"Some of those operators that are offering cheaper coffees are being clever about it."

"They are offering $2.50 espresso after 3pm, for instance, which is traditionally a quiet time."

"I would go out of my way to get a cheap coffee."

Other Perth coffee shops have begun offering 'suspended coffees' - the chance for patron to buy a coffee that is held over until another person in need who can't afford a coffee is given it.